Wendy & Tim in France & Italy 2011

This morning we again strolled down to the Vieux Port and this time took the tourist train into the small winding streets of the old city.

We were disappointed that the train had so few passengers that it did not stop at the Vieille Charite, but we did a web search when we returned and decided that we didn't miss much!!
We strolled about the town and found a very large shopping centre to explore.
Decided to rest up this afternoon. Yesterday there was a strong wind and it was blowing rubbish all over the streets..
I fee lso sorry for the many poor men and older women who sit in street doorways holding out their hands and asking for money..
We will not be sorry to leave this place - it's creepy having to watch over your shoulder - and will catch the Ter train to Nice Ville leaving just after midday tomorrow!
Hopefully it will be nicer in Nice !!
But we have learned a valuable lesson and will strive to be much more aware of possible dangers as we continue our travels..
With some late evening emailing and Skype phoning ( most useful to have purchased that!!!) we have also changed our hotel fromthe Divine in Levanto, back to the Mary hotel in La Spezia...we have realised the importance of having accommodation nearer to a train station since our luggage is not easy to cart about!!
Also, we will need to make the very most of our time in the Cinque Terre and since there are trains which travel into the 5 villages we expect to purchase a "Cinque Terre" travel card to enable unlimited train journeys for two days.. we also know there will be a lot of walking,
but I'm hoping that the scenery will be adequate reward for efforts!
So far my little $200 Aud notbook which I purchased from Aldi has performed excellently!! The Wifi worked very well at Nimes and there is cable internet in each hotel room here!

What a wonderful change from Marseilles!!
We had a good train trip with Ter. stopped a a few stations nearer to Nice..
Got to Nice Ville.. walked 400 metres to our Hotel in Rue Gournod.. apparently a place where both Antoine Chekov and Lennin both resided at different times.
Hotel is called the Oasis and is set in a lovely garden setting.. which our room overlooks where we have breakfast tomorrow.

We arrived at 3.00 pm, had a drink then walked to the beach!.. the Promenade des Anglais.. pebble beach.. no sand.. beach umbrellas set out .. gorgeous topless babes sunbaking!! some people swimming.. lots just sun bathing.. others roller skating and cycling and even some on seques !! ( must try that!! - 45 euro for 2 hours)

This is Heaven!!

view over Nice